Bella10 Philosophy

BELLA10 PHILOSOPHY

At Bella10, we are all about the natural nails! We know it takes care and time to create a beautiful set of natural nails and smooth, healthy skin and cuticles enhance the overall appearance. Bella10 supports natural nail care through skilled nail technicians, personal nail care and great natural nail care products. We always recommend regular manicures, whither done by a licensed professional or at home, by yourself or with friends. Bella10 does recommend being a knowledgeable consumer when choosing a nail salon, nail technician, nail care product or tool. Bella10 is here to help.

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Monday, January 21, 2013

I love Jessica Cosmetics! Not just because they sent me a special preview of their
new Spring collection but because in all my 30+ years in the nail industry,
they have the BEST polish line for natural nail wear-ability! You heard
that right! I have never had a nail polish line that delivers such long
lasting wear and coverage. Today I want to share their new Spring collection,
"It's a Girl Thing"!

Jessica Vartoughian has been touted as the
"Manicurist to the Stars" and she has decided that her newest
collection should feature some fabulous girls that are in her life.
Introducing Ava, the "New Kid in Town," Alexis "Ruby
Empress," Amira the "Smitten Kitten," Alia a "Sun-Kissed
Beauty," Nadia the "Sterling Queen" and Sophia who's "True
Blue"! Each girl plays dress up in her favorite color that is inspired
by her distinctive personality.

Alia - Sun Kissed Beauty

Alia "Sun Kissed Beauty" is a deep stylish sunset-orange.

This color is a cream color and is vibrantly hot!

Great color for dark, tanned or olive skin but as you can see,

it looks fabulous on fair pink skin too!

Ava - New Kid in Town

Ava the "New Kid in Town" is a sweet lavender cream polish.

It's not a shy color but not bold either. Just the right amount of coverage.

Nadia - Sterling Queen

Nadia the "Sterling Queen"
is a sophisticated silver-gray

with a little hint of shimmer but not a
frost.

My model and I found this color surprisingly elegant

and felt that
the bottle did not do it justice.

Amira - Smitten Kitten

Amira, the “Smitten Kitten” is a described as a “smart and joyful pink”.

I find this pink cream polish to be playful and full of life!

If you like pink, you’ll love this!

Sophia - True Blue

Sophia is considered "True Blue". Sounds like an honest,
forthright person to me!

I would probably trust the person who inspired
this rich robin egg blue polish!

The coverage was incredible too… Stunning!

Alexix - Ruby Empress

Alexis, the "Ruby Empress" is a heart-throbbing creative red

with
just a hint of yellow undertones.

This dynamic red will be the perfect
summer shade!

There you have it!! "It's a Girl Thing" will be available the end of this month through Jessica Cosmetics online and at fine salons and spas internationally! In addition, Jessica Cosmetics colors are formulated with antioxidant vitamins for maximum conditioning and UVA/UVB protection from the sun. They are quick-drying and Three Free (toluene, formaldahyde and DBP free)!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

This is the most common issue most people have with regular nail polish. So what are some of the causes of nail polish chipping and peeling?

PROPER NAIL PREP- This is the most important step to prevent polish peeling. If there is any natural oils on your nails, the polish will peel up, usually in sheets. To effectively remove oils from your nails without thinning them (ie, buffing), wash your hands with soap and water and use a nail brush to clean around the cuticle and under the nail. After washing your hands, cleanse the nail surface with a nail prep or rubbing alcohol. After prepping your nails, immediately apply your base coat of polish. Note: Do not let the nail surface you want to polish touch your skin or hair before you apply your polish. If you do, you put oil right back on the surface and your polish might peel.

USE BASE COAT - Base coat nail polish is usually more "rubberized" than other nail polishes and can cling to the natural nail better than applying polish without it.

USE A TOP COAT- A top coat will not only protect your polish color and add shine but it also adds durability and hardness. After your manicure, if you apply a top coat every 2-3 days after your manicure and cap around the tip of your nail where you file, your polish will last longer than if you do not.

WATER - Washing your hands before you polish is a good idea but too much water after you polish your nails, especially the first 4-6 hours afterward, can be detrimental to your manicure. In the first 4-6 hours, your polish is still not completely dry, your nails will swell and expand the polish with the nail. When the nail drys and shrinks back to it's normal size, your polish won't and increase the chance of it chipping when it finally does finish drying.

OLD OR CONTAMINATED POLISH- Old nail polish is thick and hard to work with. It also takes forever to dry! Some people decide that they need to thin out their polish with polish remover but this breaks down the polish in a manner that reduces it's adhesion properties. Thin your polish with Nail Polish Thinner. This can be found in your local beauty supply.

For more information on how to properly thin out and care for your polish,

The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails

The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails

Natural nails are beautiful! They make us feel clean and well groomed. For women, they are our secret way to feel feminine. They are also a tool for the power of touch… Sensual back scratches given to loved ones. Natural nails are a challenge and a standard to live up to! Natural nails are a display our health and wellness, as well as good grooming. How many times do you get complimented on your nails? Your natural nails? Don’t believe you can have beautiful, natural nails? We believe you can!

About Me

Hi, my name is Alicia Lyons and I have been a licensed cosmetologist, specializing in nail care since 1982. I've seen many trends in the nail industry come and go; acrylic and gel nails, French manicures, gel polish and the explosion of new nail salons. I was lucky enough to be listed as one of Sedona, AZ “Top Six Spa Therapists” by Sedona Monthly magazine. In 2008, I authored "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails", because I wanted to share specific details, tricks and techniques I’ve discovered about natural nails over my years as a Nail Technician. This blog was started to share my professional input over the anything related to nail care and to promote a line of nail & skin care that I developed, Bella10.
My goal is to educate about home nail care and to encourage the use of qualified, licensed nail technicians. I believe in nail services that prevent damage, injury and infection. I also believe that anyone can have beautiful, healthy nails if they give it a chance.
I hope you enjoy my Blog and my website, www.bella10.com.